Schneider Electric and Scale Microgrid Solutions announced an agreement to design, engineer and build a new microgrid for modern farming company, Bowery Farming.

Under the terms of the agreement, Scale Microgrid Solutions will build, own and operate a proprietary hybrid microgrid system that leverages Schneider Electric EcoStruxure technology for Bowery’s newly commissioned facility in New Jersey, the most technologically sophisticated commercial farm in the world. The system will use distributed energy resources (DER), including a rooftop solar array, a natural gas generator equipped with advanced emissions control technologies and Schneider Electric’s lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) interconnected in a behind-the-meter configuration.

“Bowery has created a facility wherein crop production is already 100 times more efficient than traditional farmland, creating a greater need for reliable, efficient power,” said Ryan Goodman, CEO of Scale Microgrid Solutions. “Microgrids offer a compelling value proposition, but they’re inherently complex machines and not many companies have the in-house expertise needed to make the investment. We’re excited to deploy an affordable microgrid solution in conjunction with Schneider Electric that will further reduce Bowery’s carbon footprint and provide critical resilience.”

Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor (EMA), a cloud-connected, demand-side energy management software platform, will be integrated to optimize the system’s performance. By leveraging predictive and learning algorithms, EMA will empower Scale Microgrid Solutions to better manage the production and consumption of its renewable energy and control energy spend. The system will also be equipped to operate in parallel with traditional utility electric services during normal operating conditions, and in “island mode” to ensure that the farm remains powered during unexpected outages.

Bowery Farming is an innovative player that’s growing crops to support the world’s growing population in an incredibly energy-efficient way,” said Don Wingate, VP of utility & microgrid solutions for Schneider Electric. “At Schneider Electric and together with Scale Microgrid Solutions, we’re looking forward to working to address the challenges associated with indoor farming, and driving microgrid innovations that improve energy efficiency, reduce end-user costs, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve grid resilience.”

“Bowery is committed to growing food for a better future and we are excited to have found partners in Schneider Electric and Scale Microgrid Solutions who will help us achieve our mission. We’re looking forward to continuing to provide consumers with access to local, high-quality produce and drive a more sustainable future.” said Brian Donato, SVP of operations for Bowery Farming.

Commissioning of the Bowery microgrid project is scheduled for Q1 2019.